Hike New Mexico's Jemez Springs

Visit this village in the hills for great shopping and scenery

Small enough that many places in town don't bother with an address, Jemez Springs is an out-of-the-way village with plenty of reasons to detour for a visit.

Consider a soak in a historic bathhouse high in the New Mexico mountains, especially after a cooling afternoon thundershower.

Or take the drive for pottery shops, tasty burritos, and cozy overnight options ― not to mention great scenery, from a waterfall hike to a nature preserve inside an ancient collapsed volcano.

GETTING THERE

From Albuquerque, take exit 242 off I-25, go west on U.S. 550 for about 20 miles to San Ysidro, then head north on State 4 for 17 miles. From Santa Fe, take U.S. 285 north 15 miles, State 502 west 12 miles through Los Alamos, then State 4 southwest for 45 very curvy miles.

GO

Jemez Falls. Reach the falls on an easy 1-mile trail through a forest of ponderosa pines. INFO: Park near the Jemez Falls Group Picnic Area, 10 miles north of Jemez Springs on State 4 in the Santa Fe National Forest; 505/829-3535.

Cañon del Rio. (from $129; 505/829-4377) is a six-room adobe inn among cottonwoods along the Jemez River. Southwest-style breakfast, included in the rate, is served family-style in the comfy Great Room.